Mainland spokesman denies Taipei mayoral comments

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Tuesday denied that Zhang Zhijun, the mainland's Taiwan affairs chief, had made any particular comment in regard to Ko Wen-je, a candidate for Taipei mayor.

The mainland never comments on candidates in any elections in Taiwan, said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to reports in Taiwan's media that Zhang had suggested that Ko should acknowledge the 1992 Consensus.

Ma confirmed that Zhang, head of the office, had told Taiwan media that the mainland is paying close attention to 2014 local elections in Taiwan and expects cross-Strait relations to maintain a peaceful momentum.

Zhang did urge people from both sides to accept the 1992 Consensus, which is the foundation for the peaceful cross-Strait relations, Ma said.

The current elections in Taiwan are the biggest in history in terms of candidates and open positions.

It is the first time islanders will elect officials for about 11,130 local government and legislative positions simultaneously. Positions up for grabs range from mayors and legislators for Taiwan's major cities of Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Taoyuan to village chiefs.